Ep 251: Lights, Camera, Climate: Building a Festival for a Warming World
Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyShow Notes
In this episode, we sit down with Alec, co-founder of the New York Climate Film Festival, to explore how cinema is being used to spark conversations around climate change. From building a community of diverse storytellers to rethinking what climate narratives can look like, Alec shares the journey of starting a film festival focused on one of the most urgent issues of our time. Whether you're a filmmaker, climate advocate, or simply a lover of good stories, this episode uncovers the creative intersections where art meets environmental action.📝 Show Notes:In this episode, we discuss: 🎬 The origin story of the New York Climate Film Festival 🌍 Why climate is as much a cultural issue as a scientific one 🧠 How experimental and narrative formats push climate storytelling forward 🤝 Collaborations between artists, scientists, and curators 🎥 What Alec looks for in a festival film submission 🛠️ The real challenges (and joys) of building a niche film festival 🔊 The underrated power of good sound in indie filmmaking 🐝 Highlighting “Keeper,” a touching short film about beekeeping and family in the Bronx 📈 Hopes for the future of media, festivals, and climate narratives 🎬 Mentioned Films & Resources: One With the Whale – a coming-of-age climate story set in the Aleutian Islands Keeper by Hannah Rafkin – a short film about a father-daughter beekeeping duo Climate storytelling resources:Good Energy Playbook Climate Spring (UK) Earth Angel (sustainable production) Albert (BAFTA’s sustainability program)
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